Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Deluxe Resort Review

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most popular Disney Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World. If you’ve never stayed here before, there’s a lot to keep in mind when you plan your stay. Today we’re going to share with you everything you need to know about this resort to help you plan your upcoming stay in this beautiful property.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Welcome Mat
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Welcome Mat

If you’ve never visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge before, it’s a resort that was created alongside Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. It first opened in 2001, and you’ll find the main part of the resort is called Jambo House. There’s now another smaller section of the resort, called Kidani Village, where you’ll find the majority of the Disney Vacation Club accommodation. 

The resort itself is absolutely spectacular and is based around a savanna. You’ll find the property is home to over 100 animals and 130 birds, with the majority of rooms here overlooking the animals in their savanna. 

It’s an amazing experience for any animal lovers in your travel party.

Where is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Located?

The official address for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8410. You can reach the resort by phone at (407) 938-3000.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is considered an Animal Kingdom Resort Area.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Map

Official Disney map for Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

What is the Theme of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The theme of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is African Safari Adventure. This resort has it’s own Savanna that will transport you to the heart of Africa. 

Guest Rooms

As with any Disney Deluxe resort, you’ll find there’s no shortage of accommodation options for you and your family. Many of the rooms have been updated in the last couple of years, but they generally have a very elegant and wooden feel to the rooms. 

Standard rooms come with a variety of views. The most cost-friendly rooms are the standard view rooms, which face out onto the parking lot. From there, you can upgrade to a pool view room or a savanna view room for the most incredible experience in the resort. 

There are also deluxe rooms on offer, which provide additional space and amenities for families. For the ultimate luxury experience, you can then upgrade to the rooms offering concierge service, which come with additional benefits for anyone staying here. If you need an accessible room, there are also plenty of these on offer, which are kitted out with a roll-in shower and accessible seat for the toilet.

One thing to keep in mind for larger travel parties is that you can also benefit from the DVC location at Kidani Village. As with the other DVC resorts, they have rooms ranging from studios to three-bedroom villas. This is a great way to experience everything the Animal Kingdom Lodge has to offer but with more space than your typical rooms. No matter where you are staying, you’ll have a balcony which will give you a space to get some fresh air and relax.

When booking your room, you’ll find there are rooms with either showers or baths. If this is important to you and your family, make sure you request a bathtub. Families can also request interconnecting rooms, which will allow you to see each other with ease each morning and evening.

2 Queen sized beds in a standard room at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
2 Queen sized beds in a standard room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The number one reason to choose this resort over some of the others is the incredible savannas that are around the resort. While many of the rooms have balconies that overlook the savannas, you’ll also find that there are some public savannas anyone can visit. This is a great option for an evening out, even if you aren’t staying here, and you can enjoy visiting the savannas during the day or the night.

There are a few different savannas, all of which have different features and are open 24 hours a day. Not all of them have the same animals, for example, you’ll only find zebras on the Arusha savanna. We’ll talk more about the animals you can find on the savanna later.

The check-in process can be a simplified arrival after 3:00PM if you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience App. Enjoy handy features like finding your room number and unlocking your door with the Disney Magicmobile service.

The check-out process at the end of your stay is easy as well as long as you have a zero-dollar balance and valid payment card. Check-out before 11:00AM on the app.

Visit the Walt Disney World Website to check availability and to make a room reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Keurig coffee maker in the room, beverage cooler in the standard room.
Keurig coffee maker in the room, beverage cooler in the standard room.

How much is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge per night?

Standard view room rates start at roughly $487 a night but will be up to double this in the holiday season. Of course, for anyone looking to splash out on their upcoming trip, there are some beautiful suites and villas to give you more space.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is in the Deluxe resort category, so naturally, it’s one of the more pricey resorts on property. However, compared to other deluxe resorts, the standard rooms are the most affordable in this category.

It’s all about finding the option that works for your family for your upcoming trip. Many guests find the savanna view to be well worth paying for, as it’s what the resort is so well known for.

What is the difference between Jambo and Kidani?

The Jambo building was the first building and has both standard rooms as well as Disney Vacation Club Villas. It has a grand lobby, more restaurants and things to do than Kidani Village. Kidani Village was added in 2009 and is smaller than Jambo House. Kidani Village only has Disney Vacation Club Villas.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

Amenities

All guest rooms include these amenities:

  • Hairdryer
  • Free Wi-Fi Internet access
  • In-Room Safe
  • Telephone with voicemail
  • Coffee maker
  • Coffee and tea set up
  • Flat panel TV
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • Beverage Cooler
  • Patio or Balcony
  • Double Sinks
Standard View (of the resort) from the balcony of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Standard View (of the resort) from the balcony of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Standard Room Types

Resort View – King Bed

  • View of Rooftop or Parking Area
  • 1 King Bed
  • Sleeps 2 Adults

Resort View – Standard Room

  • View of Rooftop or Parking Area
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Water View – King Bed

  • View of the pool
  • 1 King Bed
  • Sleeps 2 Adults

Water View – Standard Room

  • View of the pool
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Savanna View Room – King Bed

  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed
  • Sleeps 2 Adults

Savanna-View Room – Standard Room

  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Club-Level Service

These rooms include access to the Kilimanjaro Club, and personalized services. Club level also includes a continental breakfast, wine and beer, and desserts and cordials.

Savanna View – Club Level Access

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • View of Arusha Savanna
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

2 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 8 Adults

Resort View – 1 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Views of Rooftop or Parking Area
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 6 Adults

Savanna View – King Bed – Club Level Access

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed
  • Sleeps 2 Adults

Savanna View – 1 Bedroom Suite – Club Level Access

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 6 Adults

1 Bedroom Villa – Club Level

  • Jambo House
  • View of Pool or one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 5 Adults

Deluxe Studio – Club Level

  • Jambo House
  • View of Pool or one of the Savannas
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas

The villa section of the resort comes with the added amenity of a kitchenette, small fridge, and microwave. A fully-equipped kitchen can help you save money on dining for your Disney vacation. There are also savanna view options to see African Animals from the comfort of your villa.

Disneys’ Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas offer a wide array of accommodations for any travel party size including 3 Bedroom Villas that sleep up to 12 people. 

Villas feature separate bedrooms which is convenient for families. These are spacious living villas with home-like options.

Deluxe Studio – Standard View

  • Jambo House
  • View of Landscaping or Parking Area
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Deluxe Studio – Savanna View

  • Jambo House or Kidani Village
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Studio – Value

  • Jambo House
  • View of Landscape or Parking Area
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

Deluxe Studio – Standard View

  • Kidani Village
  • View of Pool or Parking Area
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

1 Bedroom Villa – Savanna View

  • Jambo House or Kidani Village
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 5 Adults

1 Bedroom Villa – Standard View

  • Jambo House
  • View of Landscape or Parking Area
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 5 Adults

2 Bedroom Villa – Standard View

  • Kidani Village
  • View of Parking Area
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 9 Adults

Two-Bedroom Villas – Savanna View

  • Kidani Village
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 9 Adults

3-Bedroom Villas – Savanna View

  • Jambo House or Kidani Village
  • View of one of the Savannas
  • 1 King Bed and 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • 3 bathrooms
  • 2300 square feet
  • game room
  • Sleeps 12 Adults

1 Bedroom Villa – Standard View

  • Jambo House
  • View of Landscape or Parking Area
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Sleeps 4 Adults

1 Bedroom Villa – Standard View

  • Kidani Village
  • View of Parking Area
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
  • Sleeps 5 Adults

Transportation

You will find complimentary bus service from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to all of the Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. You will need to take a bus to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom.

Can you walk between Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge?

You can’t walk from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It is a short bus ride away from animal kingdom though.

Walt Disney World Shuttle Bus Station Sign
Walt Disney World Shuttle Bus Station Sign

Dining and Shopping

As with any other Disney resort, you’ll find a great range of dining options on offer here. They are known for their unique and exotic menus, giving adventurous eaters something that’s worth visiting the resort for. Discover the flavors of Africa with these delicious dining options.

Mara

The quick-service restaurant in Jambo House is Mara, which can be found down by the pool area. It is currently using the mobile order system, which is a great way to order from the comfort of your room and then pick up your meal when you are ready. You’ll find they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. Pick up a refillable mug here at the start of your stay to save money on sodas. There are fridges full of snacks here, so you’ll never be hungry when spending a day chilling at the resort.

Boma

Boma is located in Jambo House and serves a buffet breakfast and dinner. It offers African-inspired dishes mixed with typical buffet offerings, and you certainly won’t go hungry when dining here. It’s a really popular spot with both families and adults, and you’ll find the menu to be varied and plentiful. We recommend booking your ADRs for this spot as soon as possible, as it does tend to get very booked up for peak dining times. If you are staying at the resort, start your morning off here one day before heading to the parks. If you are looking for a bar, the Victoria Falls Lounge overlooks Boma.

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

You can find drinks at this poolside bar from 11:00AM to 10:00PM. This pool bar is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge near the uzima pool.

Jiko: The Cooking Place

This signature dining location is the fanciest of dining options at the resort and is ideal for adults looking for a date-night dinner. In the past, they’ve hosted various events here, which offer you the chance to dine and visit the animals on the savanna. The food and wine menus here are extensive. If you are looking for a bar option, the Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar is right there as well.

Sanaa

Heading over to Kidani Village now, you’ll find Sanaa. If you’ve ever visited here before, you no doubt know about their incredible bread service. No meal here is complete without trying this appetizer, which is perfect for your whole family to share. After that, you’ll enjoy an Indian and African-inspired menu with dishes such as curry. The restaurant has a few window tables which overlook the savanna, but it’s a stunning location to visit even if you aren’t seated here. There’s also a bar here, so you can just pop in for a drink after a busy day at the parks.

Maji Pool Bar

You can find drinks, sandwiches, salads, and snacks at this poolside dining experience from 11:00AM to 9:00PM. This pool bar is in Kidani Village near the samawati springs pool.

Zawadi Marketplace Sign
Zawadi Marketplace Sign at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Zawadi Marketplace

Before you head home, don’t miss out on the gift shop here, which has some of the most unique items on property. You’ll find they have many African-inspired gifts, which you can bring home to remind you of your stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge.

Activities and Resort Amenities

As with any of the Disney resorts, you’ll find there’s no shortage of things to do and see while staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We highly recommend taking a day out of your park touring plans when staying here to make the most of their facilities. These are just a few of the highlights of a stay at the resort:

Pools with Waterslides

Both parts of the resort have their own pools. 

The main Jambo House pool has an exciting waterslide and two whirlpool spas and is one of the larger pools on the property, called the Uzima Pool. You will find Floridian Palms and Large Canopy Trees around the pool area.

It’s a great location for sunbathing and swimming, and you’ll find there are plenty of chairs dotted both inside and outside of the main pool area. There’s also a small children’s wading pool here, which is great for anyone traveling with toddlers. 

Kidani Village also has a pool called the Samawati Springs Pool which also has it’s own thrilling waterslide. The Samawati Springs Pool also has Uwanja Camp, an animal observation site-themed water playground with fun additions like water cannons, a children’s wading pool, bubbling geyser, and rope bridge for kids to play on.

Poolside Activities

  • Themed Pool Parties
  • Pool Games
  • Relays
  • Trivia
  • Jambo House Campfire Activities – Make s’mores at your resort.
  • Movies Under the Stars – by the Uzima Pool
Pumbaas Fun and Games Arcade
Pumbaas Fun and Games Arcade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Resort Activities

  • Hakuna Matata Playground
  • Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade
  • Spa & Fitness Center – Called the Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center. As with the other Deluxe resorts, you’ll find a gym on the site. It has all of the equipment you could expect from a resort and is a great way to burn off some of those extra calories you might be consuming during your stay here.
  • Wild About Painting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – $35 per person at Jiko on Wednesdays from 1:00 – 3:00. It is recommended to make a reservation. For guests 12 years and older.
  • Exotic Animals – Checkout the Wildlife Field Guide in your room or at the front desk for the animals you can see as well as the fun programs led by Animal Specialists.  

Additional Benefits

  • Laundry Room – If you are looking for a washer and dryer, there is Self-service laundry is available 24/7.
  • Early Theme Park Entry – Enter the parks 30 minutes before official opening for all on property resort guests. This can help you save money on Genie+. Early access to the Disney parks is a huge perk of staying on property.
  • Free Parking
  • Extended Evening Hours – on select nights you can stay in the park after closing and enjoy short lines on rides. This perk is only available to deluxe resort guests at no extra charge. Check the My Disney Experience App to find out which parks/dates have evening theme park hours. Currently, EPCOT’s extra magic hours are on most Mondays and Magic Kingdom’s extra magic hours are on Wednesdays. This is subject to change at any time so check the Disney Website for the most accurate information.

Giraffes can be found on all of the savannas, and they are one of the highlights of a stay here. We recommend checking out the activity guide for the resort when you arrive. They offer special activities, such as night-vision goggles, for visitors who are staying or visiting here.

For anyone wondering what type of animals you’ll see on the savanna, you’ll be blown away by the variety of species who call this resort home. Expect to see bongo, eland, greater kudu, giraffe, red river hogs, wildebeest, and zebras. 

Make sure you visit the savanna at different times of the day in order to get the best experience. There’s nothing better than waking up first thing in the morning to see these animals going about their day. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a hotel stay you’ll never forget.

Checkout this room tour from WDW Prepschool

What Animals Can Be Seen at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

There are 11 acres of savannas with over 30 species of African Wildlife. Each savanna has unique animals that you can see. See the front desk for wildlife field guide for more information. Savanna view rooms will be able to see the African animals right from resort room. There are also viewing places from the terrace and lobby.

Sunset Savanna: 

  • Male giraffes
  • Impalas
  • Thomson’s gazelles
  • Ostriches
  • Ankole cattle
  • Waterbuck
  • African crown cranes
  • Storks
  • Blue cranes 

Arusha Savanna: 

  • Giraffes
  • Ankole cattle
  • Zebras
  • Wildebeests
  • Elands
  • Gemsbok 
Flamingos at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge by the pool.
Flamingos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge viewed hanging out near the pool.

Uzima Savanna:

  • Giraffes
  • Impalas
  • Kudu
  • Bongos
  • Blesbok
  • Flamingos

Pembe Savanna

  • Ground hornbill
  • Red river hogs
  • Okapi
  • Ostrich
  • Nyala
  • Impala
  • Geese

What animals can you see at Kidani Village?

You can see the Sunset Savanna and the Pembe Savanna from rooms at Kidani Village.

What time do the animals come out at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The animals are there all day, though a disney cast member may move them. The best time to see animals active is Early morning and late evening. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Guide

Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most popular resorts at Walt Disney World, and no doubt you can now see why. We highly recommend that you add this resort to your Disney bucket list, as you’ll love waking up each morning and seeing the animals outside your room before heading to the parks for the day.

Related Questions

What are the differences between Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge (Disney)?

They are both deluxe resorts, but have different theming. Animal Kingdom Lodge is closest to Animal Kingdom while the Wilderness Lodge is closest to Magic Kingdom.

Will young kids enjoy staying at the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Young kids that love animals will enjoy this resort. It is farther away from Magic Kingdom which is the most popular Disney park which may be something to consider for your family.

Can you visit Disney’s animal kingdom lodge without staying there?

You can visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge without being a guest of the resort. You can take the bus from any Disney theme park or Disney Springs. You will have access to the public areas to see the savanna, restuarants, and gift shop. The pool at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is only for Disney resort hotel guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Which Disney World resort is more fun, Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Polynesian?

Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the unique animal experiences, but Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian all have monorail access with easy access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

2 comments

  • Looks like a great place to stay!

  • Susie Wilson

    After out first time staying Jamba House we NEVER and I mean NEVER stay at any other resort!!! As it is a deluxe resort we can’t go every year but try every 2-3 years. Once you stay at Animal Kingdom lodge it ruins all other resort stays!! ITS THE BEST AND GREATEST RESORT EVER!!!

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